People
Al-Khwarizmi
Baghdad, Iraq
Working in Baghdad's House of Wisdom, he wrote a foundational book on solving equations. The word algebra comes from its title and algorithm from his name.
Lived: c. 780 – c. 850 · Known for: Mathematician
Iraq: leaders, famous people, culture and history
3 places on the atlas covering people and history. Highlights include Al-Khwarizmi and Ur.
What is on the atlas
Who leads Iraq?
| President | Nizar Amidi |
|---|---|
| Prime Minister | Ali al-Zaidi |
Office-holders as of July 2026. Governments change, so check Iraq’s official government website for the latest. Full list of heads of state and government.
Famous people from Iraq
- Hammurabi Babylonian king and lawgiver
- Nebuchadnezzar II Babylonian king
- Enheduanna Akkadian high priestess, often called the first named author
- Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen) optics pioneer, born in Basra
- Al-Mutanabbi classical Arab poet, born in Kufa
- Nazik al-Malaika poet and pioneer of free verse
A short, well-known selection rather than a ranking. People pinned on the map appear in the cards below.
People in Iraq
History in Iraq
History
Ur
Dhi Qar, Iraq
A major Sumerian city on the Euphrates, known for its great ziggurat and the Royal Cemetery with richly furnished burials.
Period: Occupied from c. 3800 BCE
History
Babylon
Hillah, Babil, Iraq
Capital of the ancient Mesopotamian empires, known for the Ishtar Gate and for the law code of King Hammurabi.
Period: Peak around the 6th century BCE
How to use this page
This page brings together the people who lead Iraq today, a short selection of well-known people from Iraq, and the 3 places pinned for Iraq on the atlas. Use the buttons at the top to see Iraq on the map, where you can filter by theme, read a short summary of each pin and follow the link to Wikipedia for the full article. To browse the same themes across the whole world, see the people page and history page.
Questions about Iraq
Who is the leader of Iraq?
As of July 2026: President: Nizar Amidi; Prime Minister: Ali al-Zaidi. Office-holders change, so check the official government site for the latest.
Who are some famous people from Iraq?
Well-known people connected with Iraq include Hammurabi (Babylonian king and lawgiver), Nebuchadnezzar II (Babylonian king), Enheduanna (Akkadian high priestess, often called the first named author), Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen) (optics pioneer, born in Basra) and Al-Mutanabbi (classical Arab poet, born in Kufa).
Which famous people from Iraq are pinned on the atlas?
People pinned for Iraq include Al-Khwarizmi. Open the map to read a short summary of each.
What are important historical places in Iraq?
Historical places in Iraq on the atlas include Ur and Babylon. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
How can I explore Iraq on the map?
Choose See Iraq on the map above, or search for Iraq on the atlas. You can filter by theme, drag the Time travel slider to see who was alive and what was standing in different centuries, and open any pin for a short summary and a link to the full Wikipedia article.